Can I get a completion certificate?

No, this isn't a course, therefore we don't offer a Course Certificate.

Does this course contain anything disturbing?

The subject matter of this course covers situations and events that are potentially disturbing to some learners. For example, suicide, domestic and intimate partner violence, violent crimes, and mass shootings are discussed throughout this course and may trigger personally traumatic experiences.

Firearm Purchaser Licensing Teach-Out: The Background Check Policy Not Enough People Are Talking About

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Firearm Purchaser Licensing Teach-Out: The Background Check Policy Not Enough People Are Talking About

Instructors: Cassandra Crifasi, PhD, MPH

2,456 already enrolled

Ask Coursera

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

The best available evidence shows that comprehensive background checks by themselves are insufficient at reducing gun violence, but strong bodies of research demonstrate that states with comprehensive background checks coupled with firearm purchaser licensing, or permit-to-purchase laws, have significantly fewer firearm-involved homicides, fatal mass shootings, and suicides. Additionally, public opinion polling research consistently finds that 75% or more of U.S. adults support firearm purchaser licensing laws and 60% or more of gun owners support these policies.

This Teach-Out event includes a general overview of firearm licensing policies and evidence of their effectiveness, as well as materials on the social context of licensing, including public opinion polling and differences across geographic areas and groups. Over the next four weeks, you are invited to join us as we explore this topic together through brief lessons, weekly discussions, and call-to-action activities for you to undertake in your own community. We would also like to acknowledge our funders, the Johns Hopkins Center for Teaching and Learning and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Without their generous contributions, this Teach-Out would not be possible and we are so very grateful for their support.

What's included

5 videos1 reading2 discussion prompts1 plugin

5 videosTotal 43 minutes

Firearm Purchaser Licensing: The Background Check Policy Not Enough People Are Talking About2 minutes
Background Checks4 minutes
Purchaser Licensing6 minutes
Questions and Concerns about Guns and Gun Violence: Responses from Dr. Cassandra Crifasi12 minutes
Dr. Cassandra Crifasi Responds20 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

Groundrules for Engagement5 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Week 1 | What Questions Do You Have?15 minutes
Week 1 | Call To Action15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 5 minutes

Pre-Survey5 minutes

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 43 minutes

Understanding Firearm Purchaser Licensing Systems: An Interview with Dr. Alex McCourt10 minutes
Dr. Cassandra Crifasi Responds, Part 116 minutes
Dr. Cassandra Crifasi Responds, Part 218 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Elements of State Purchaser Licensing Laws10 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Week 2 | What Questions Do You Have?15 minutes
Week 2 | Call To Action15 minutes

What's included

1 video2 readings2 discussion prompts

What's included

3 videos2 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin

3 videosTotal 38 minutes

Firearm Purchaser Licensing in Illinois: A Case Study Conversation with Kathleen Sances16 minutes
Dr. Cassandra Crifasi Responds, Part 117 minutes
Dr. Cassandra Crifasi Responds, Part 24 minutes

2 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Policies to Reduce Gun Violence in Illinois: Research, Policy Analysis, and Recommendations30 minutes
Illinois Fingerprint-based Background Checks for FOID cards10 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Week 4 | What Questions Do You Have?15 minutes
Week 4 | Call To Action15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 5 minutes

Post-Survey5 minutes

Instructors

Cassandra Crifasi, PhD, MPH

Johns Hopkins University

2 Courses17,430 learners

Offered by

Johns Hopkins University

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Frequently asked questions

Teach-Outs are short learning experiences, each focused on a specific current issue. Attendees will come together over a few days to learn about a subject or event and gain skills. Teach-Outs are open to the world and are designed to bring together individuals with wide-ranging perspectives in respectful and deep conversation. These events provide opportunities for diverse learners and a multitude of experts to come together to ask questions of one another and explore new solutions to the pressing concerns of our global community.

We're offering these Teach-Outs on a platform designed for learning, so sometimes we take advantage of the platform tools. Quizzes are one way of helping everyone "get on the same page" about the topic, and be better able to discuss and ask questions. You can take the quizzes as many times as you want in order to pass, or you can move past them if you aren't interested in testing your knowledge.

Teach-Outs are free learning experiences!

No, this course is an opportunity to learn about the evidence and research behind the complex public health crisis of gun violence in America. This course is purely an educational tool and is not intended to replace treatment or other health services. If you or a loved one need help, we suggest that you contact your local mental health provider, or state associations for psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers. They can often provide you with a list of resources, some at no cost, for receiving the help you need.

For more urgent needs or to find out more about how you can find mental health assistance, we encourage you to reference the following:

If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, we encourage you to call 911 and ask for assistance from a crisis intervention-trained officer.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please know you are not alone. You can access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 24 hours a day.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline operates 24/7 to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and information on domestic violence-related issues. For the National Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-799-7233.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also has a crisis text line in which you can receive 24/7 support from a trained crisis counselor. Text NAMI to 741-741 for support from this resource, or visit https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-HelpLine for more information.

If you are seeking treatment facilities, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator that can guide you to treatment resources in your area. Visit https://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ to use the treatment services locator.

We know that the material covered in this course may be upsetting for some. We encourage everyone to practice self-care and utilize the resources provided to take care of your mental health.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.